Dejphon Chansiri is ‘playing with fire’ – Sheffield Wednesday administration verdict shared
Dejphon Chansiri is yet to agree a Sheffield Wednesday takeover despite the ongoing crisis at Hillsborough.
Sheffield Wednesday players have not been paid for September, making it five of the past seven months where they have not received their wages on time.
The Labour Party is currently undergoing the process of fast-tracking the introduction of the independent regulator, with a view to its powers being switched on by November.
The regulator will have the power to take control of Sheffield Wednesday if Chansiri is seen as threatening the club’s existence.
Independent regulator to prevent ‘big’ Sheffield Wednesday issue
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider the regulator will try and step in to ensure the Owls don’t go into administration.
Sheffield Wednesday have been hit with six embargoes as the crisis continues to deepen in South Yorkshire.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “The ownership are playing with fire because I think it’s clear that what they’re risking here is becoming the first poster boy of the independent regulator when it’s up and running next month.
“There’s already enough signs that the government and the regulator are thinking about Sheffield Wednesday, and are thinking about how they need to intervene to stop there being a big issue with the club.
“It’s a club of a scale that nobody could contemplate a situation where it was to go into administration or worse liquidation. Therefore, this is just the sort of situation where the regulator is going to try and step in.”
Sheffield Wednesday are estimated to be worth around £70million despite Chansiri insisting he wants closer to £100m.
Independent regulator could ‘make an example’ of Dejphon Chansiri
Chansiri now just has weeks to agree a takeover before the regulator could get involved at Hillsborough.
Borson said: “I think the owner is surely aware of that situation with the IFR, but he is currently playing with fire and really risking being made an example of because it’s a real situation, it’s real distress.
“Nobody wants the situation where the players are not being paid. That’s the first sign of very significant problems.
“Obviously, there’s also the other staff who are also not being paid, I would think. Although in the grand scheme of things, the players take care of the majority of the cost.”
Sheffield Wednesday currently sit 23rd in the Championship table as their players continue to represent the club despite the severe off-field issues.
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